Can a bad alternator cause the car to jerk loose power
Ever since I was told my alternator was failing more and more lately my car has been loosing power jerking when shifting gears or even jerking when in higher gears could this be due to failing voltage regulator alternator not sure if the clutch is failing or the alternator we changed the spark plus plug wires and valve cover seal think it was loosing power due to bad spark plugs but now my bet is on the alternator I can't even drive at night or use the blinker with out the Rpms dropping or lights dimming
My car has 249000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello, thanks for writing in about your 2000 Ford Escort. It does sound like the alternator is not charging but this would need to be tested to make sure it is in face the alternator at fault and not wiring or another issues. If you need assistance with this, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can diagnose your loss of power firsthand for an accurate repair.
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It`s extremely unlikely, but if the alternator has gone bad, and the battery is just about dead, the car COULD POSSIBLY jerk or surge right before it quits running because the battery can no longer supply enough juice to properly run the fuel pump, etc.
The power steering can and absolutely will go out if the alternator or battery fails while driving.
Signs of a Bad Alternator
Some of the things to look for are no-starting and trouble starting, dimming lights and problems with stereo system output. If your car starts but stalls when you`re underway, your battery is probably not being recharged due to a faulty alternator.
What could the problem be? There are a range of reasons why your car is juddering when you accelerate. Your vehicle could have dirty fuel injectors, a damaged fuel pump, a blocked catalytic converter, a faulty mass airflow sensor, broken spark plugs, or even an accumulation of moisture.
The alternator powers most car`s electronic components while you`re driving around or idling, including your headlights, electric steering, power windows, windshield wipers, heated seats, dashboard instruments, and radio.
Potential Issues Driving with a Faulty Alternator
There are some potential safety hazards that come when driving with a faulty alternator. The main issue is that most new cars use electrically assisted power-steering and when the power fails, the steering effort goes up quite a bit.
One of the most common problems you`re likely to experience with an alternator is a failure in the bearings. There are needle bearings in the alternator that allow the rotor to freely spin inside the housing, and those bearings can break down over time as a result of exposure to heat and dirt.
Alternators can go bad suddenly, or slowly over time. If your alternator is slowly going bad over time there are some warning signs you can look out for.
Contrary to its purpose, an alternator can drain a battery. It`s rare, but it`s possible. A draw on the battery only occurs if there`s a problem with either a component in the alternator itself or connections to it.
Clogged Fuel Injectors
If you hear your car engine stuttering, then the injectors may not be providing an adequate amount of fuel. To fix this, you should clean the injectors on a regular basis. Using a fuel injector cleaning solution might eliminate the issue of the car jerking.
Dirty fuel injectors are among the most common reasons for why an accelerator becomes jerky. The dirty injector leads to your car losing power when you attempt to accelerate while at a stop and when you try to drive at a consistent speed. This is the result of an engine misfire.
If the alternator is not charging the battery and not providing enough voltage into the system then you will get this jerking. If there is not enough power in the system, then the computer will have trouble shifting the transmission properly among other possible issues.
It requires a good deal of energy to crank the car`s motor, and if a battery is not replenishing its power properly due to a faulty alternator, it will become drained and ineffective. You will hear a clicking noise while attempting to start the car, and the engine will have difficulty turning over.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Can a bad alternator cause the car to jerk loose power
ANSWER : Hello, thanks for writing in about your 2000 Ford Escort. It does sound like the alternator is not charging but this would need to be tested to make sure it is in face the alternator at fault and not wiring or another issues. If you need assistance with this, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can diagnose your loss of power firsthand for an accurate repair.
Read Full Q/A … : Can a bad alternator cause the car to jerk loose power
Replaced alternator on car 2 times each time shows it’s charging 14v let car run for a little bit then test drive and car voltage
ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.
Read Full Q/A … : Can a bad alternator cause the car to jerk loose power
Will a bad battery cause my car to shut off and my EPS light to come on? What would cause it to come on?
ANSWER : Hi there. This is a serious battery problem if the battery is now swollen and has no power. There has been an obviously internal fault. This will cause the vehicle to power down and the EPS light to come on as well. The EPS light is the warning indicator for the electric power steering. I strongly suggest having a qualified technician do a diagnostic inspection to determine the root cause of the battery behavior and if there has been any compromise to the other electrical systems. It may only be a failed battery. If you’d like to have this checked, YourMechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with an electrical inspection and can replace your battery as needed.
Read Full Q/A … : Can a bad alternator cause the car to jerk loose power
If slave master cylinder is bad, will that cause the car not to hold when parked in gear?
ANSWER : From your explanation of the situation, it sounds to me like your vehicle may need a new clutch. If you are in gear and the vehicle struggles to move and the engine speed increases, the transmission is slipping. A failure in the hydraulic part of the system may make it difficult to drive the vehicle or change gears. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come by and take a closer look at your slipping clutch and offer a more personal diagnosis.
Read Full Q/A … : Can a bad alternator cause the car to jerk loose power
believe i have a bad power steering pump, how much does that job cost usually? now my car is having trouble starting, any relation
ANSWER : You will need to have the engine checked to see if it was a starter drive that was stuck and you burned up the starter. It may be the starter that was making the noise. I recommend having this checked by a certified mechanic to diagnose the no start, and then see if the power steering is still noisy.
Read Full Q/A … : Can a bad alternator cause the car to jerk loose power
How much oil needs to leak into an Alternator to cause the Alternator to go bad
ANSWER : It would be difficult to say exactly how much oil it would take to cause the alternator to fail. However, oil leaking on the alternator due to leaking valve cover gaskets can cause it to fail. It seems as if the technician who is servicing your vehicle may not have performed a courtesy inspection to check for other potential issues prior to starting the other repairs you had requested. I would recommend having the alternator replaced if it has oil leaking on it as well as resolving the valve cover gasket leak to prevent it from happening again. You may try to use a different mechanic who is more upfront and honest in the first place. Consider YourMechanic as services such as this can be completed from your home or office.
Read Full Q/A … : Can a bad alternator cause the car to jerk loose power
My car is having power issues. I get a message that says engine power reduced/ service traction along with headlights flickering and engine cutting out.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the battery and alternator to the vehicle. With all of the electrical issues that you are having, it sounds as if the battery is not charged and making the engine stall out due to lack power. Check the battery for a 12.6 volt reference and load test the battery. If the battery fails, then replace the battery. If the battery passes, then check the alternator and see if its putting out the full amount of amps. If you need further assistance with electrical issues, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Can a bad alternator cause the car to jerk loose power
My car will not start. It is completely dead (zero power), is it my alternator?
ANSWER : A failed alternator is a possibility, and is among the components that would be checked first, but it is not the only possibility. Charging system output should be verified against factory specifications. To have the alternator inspected and replaced, if necessary, please request an alternator inspection/replacement and the responding certified mechanic from YourMechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Can a bad alternator cause the car to jerk loose power
